Vietnam Reaches Historic Travel Milestone of Twenty Million International Visitors in 2025 with Phu Quoc International Airport Driving Unstoppable Tourism Growth
Vietnam has achieved a historic travel milestone in 2025 by welcoming its 20 millionth international visitor, a remarkable feat that highlights the country's resilience and dynamic growth in the tourism sector. This achievement, celebrated at Phu Quoc International Airport, underscores the nation's strategic recovery following the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. With a surge in international arrivals over the past few years, including a 35% increase in visitors to Phu Quoc alone, Vietnam's tourism industry has proven its ability to attract travelers from around the world. Phu Quoc, in particular, has played a central role in this success, serving as a key gateway to the country's thriving tourism market and solidifying Vietnam's position as a leading global destination.
Vietnam has achieved a remarkable milestone in its tourism sector on December 15, 2025, when it welcomed its 20 millionth international tourist, marking the first time the country has reached such a milestone in a single year. This achievement, celebrated at Phu Quoc International Airport, reflects the ongoing success of Vietnam's tourism recovery and growth after the global challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 20 millionth visitor, Karolina Agnieszka from Poland, was met with a festive and heartfelt welcome at the airport. Vietnam's hospitality shone through with traditional cultural performances, the presentation of flowers, and special recognition for the three significant international arrivals -- the 19,999,999th, 20,000,000th, and 20,000,001st visitors. Each of these special guests received an array of gift packages that highlighted the rich cultural and luxury offerings available in Vietnam. The 20 millionth visitor, in particular, was gifted a luxurious package valued at nearly VND 500 million (approximately US$19,000). This package included a premium pearl necklace, round-trip business-class flight tickets, a five-star resort stay, Michelin-star dining vouchers, and exclusive experiences like yacht excursions and golf in southern Phu Quoc. The other two milestone guests received generous gift packages valued at over VND 200 million each.
As a part of this celebration, all passengers aboard the flight that brought the milestone visitors to Vietnam were also welcomed with flowers and gifted tickets to the iconic "Kiss of the Sea" show in the Sunset Town of Phu Quoc, adding an extra touch of hospitality to the occasion.
In a speech at the event, Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, emphasized the significance of this achievement in the context of Vietnam's tourism sector, which has been developing for the past 65 years. This milestone is seen as a testament to the sector's resilience and innovative spirit, especially considering the global tourism challenges following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Deputy Minister also noted that the 20 millionth visitor in 2025 demonstrates Vietnam's successful recovery since fully reopening its tourism industry on March 15, 2022.
Vietnam's tourism numbers have been on a steady rise since its reopening. In 2023, the country welcomed 12.6 million international visitors, followed by a surge to 17.6 million in 2024. With the 20 millionth tourist marking a key moment in 2025, the country is now on track to surpass 21 million international arrivals by the end of the year, a figure that outstrips the pre-pandemic high of 18 million visitors recorded in 2019.
Phu Quoc, an idyllic island in southern Vietnam, has become a standout destination in the country's expanding tourism portfolio. The island attracted nearly 7.6 million visitors in the first 11 months of 2025, including 1.6 million international tourists. This marks a 35% year-on-year increase, far surpassing the island's original visitor target for the year. The growth of Phu Quoc, along with other key tourist destinations, has been integral to the overall success of Vietnam's tourism recovery.
Vietnam's tourism sector has earned international recognition for its impressive growth. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has highlighted the country's tourism industry as one of the fastest-growing in the world, with an exceptional growth rate of 21% in 2025. This growth reflects the country's strategic efforts to enhance its tourism infrastructure, promote its diverse destinations, and ensure a welcoming environment for travelers.
The combination of cultural richness, natural beauty, and modern amenities has helped Vietnam become an increasingly popular destination for international travelers. With the country continuing to recover from the pandemic and invest in tourism development, experts predict that Vietnam's tourism sector will maintain strong growth in the years to come.
Vietnam's tourism industry reached a historic milestone in 2025, welcoming its 20 millionth international visitor, with Phu Quoc International Airport at the forefront of this success. This achievement highlights the country's remarkable recovery and growing appeal as a top global travel destination.
Vietnam's 20 millionth international tourist milestone is more than just a number; it symbolizes the country's successful transition into a thriving post-pandemic tourism hub. With its growing reputation as a must-visit destination, Vietnam is well on its way to solidifying its place among the top global tourism destinations in the future. As the country continues to offer unique travel experiences, from its lush landscapes and bustling cities to its rich cultural heritage, travelers are increasingly discovering the many reasons to visit Vietnam, ensuring that the next milestone in the country's tourism journey will be just as significant.
